Playlist: Emel Mathlouthi

We do forget, but there are still musicians whose art is something bigger than a vehicle for selling CDs. Emel Mathlouthi, who will be here June 14 as part of the FrancoFolies de Montreal festival, was able to see her song Helmti Horra (My Word Is Free) become part of the soundtrack to the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.

Here’s the condensed version of how it happened: Mathlouthi’s compositions had been banned in Tunisia, her native country, and she moved to France in 2007. A video of her performing Helmti Horra in Paris went viral. The song was adopted by the Arab Spring revolutionaries and sung on the streets of Tunis.

When the revolution took hold in her country in 2010, she was on tour there and performed the song at a rally, according to a New York Times rave review of a recent live performance.

Here’s the playlist she has kindly provided us for this week.

1. In This Heart – Sinead O’Connor

2. Three babies – Sinead O’Connor

3. Heartbeats – Jose Gonzales

4. The Beast – Austra

5. All Is Full of Love – Bjork

6. From You – r.roo

7. Amour – Rammstein

8. Volver a los 17 – Violeta Parra

9. Eminence grise – Little People

10. Apply – Glasser

Emel Mathlouthi performs June 14 at 8:30 p.m. at the Gesu, 1200 Bleury St., as part of the FrancoFolies de Montreal festival. Tickets cost $24.35 to $30.05. Phone 514-790-1245 or go to admission.com

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